Hydraulic-pressure grouting-machine.



S. C. HULSE. HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GROUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17, 1916.

Patented Feb. 27,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Grammy.

SHIRLEY C. HULSE, F IBEDFOItD, PENNSYLVANIA;

HYDRAULIC-PRESSURE GROUTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2'7, 1917.

Application filed March 17, 1916. Serial No. 84,820.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SHIRLEY C. HU'LSE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford, in the county of Bedford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Hydraulic- Pressure Grouting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to grout mixingmachines and particularly to one in which the grout (consisting of cement and water, or cement, sand and water) is expelled by directly-applied hydraulic pressure.

Among the grout mixing-machines now in use there are two types,t-he mechanical mixer and the compressed-air mixer. The mechanical type develops its discharging pressure either by the centrifugal action of an impeller by means of which only comparatively low pressures are practicable, or by the thrusting action of a piston in which the delivery of the grout is too slow. The

.moving parts of the mechanical type, moreover, are quickly worn out by the attrition of the grout.

In the compressed-air type, wherein the cement and water may be mixed either by the stirring action of the air as it is allowed to bubble up through the mixtures or by the direct action of a mechanical stirrer, the obtaining and maintaining of heavy pressures, which is necessary in forcing large charges of grout any great distance, and into places where great pressure is necessary to force the grout, such as seams and passages in foundation rock, under dams and heavy structures, and outer shells fortunnel linings, etc., is always accompanied by the heavy expense of apparatus to produce and maintain such heavy pressures. It is also objectionable to use compressed air to expel the grout from the mixer, because there is always some air which follows the grout into the territory in which it is used and the presence of elastic high pressure air with a charge of grout causes considerable trouble if a leak or weak place be encountered, in which case the pressure of the airtends unduly to force the grout and water out through the leak.

One object of the present invention is the use of an inelastic driving power for the grout which would tend tocheck, as the resistance to its motion becamesuddenly less, rather than to expand.

A further object is to provide a fluid piston for forcing out the grout, thereby eliminating the attrition of the grout on the impeller parts. In my device the driving fluid is also used as the mixing fluid.

A further object is the maintenance of a body. of clear still water from which any displacement may occur as the cement charge is poured in, thus eliminating any cement waste.

A further object. is the provision of a novel device for catchin cement leakage which may occur around t e propeller shaft bearing.

By the accomplishment of these objects I produce a machine in which are the following features: High pressures are readily and economically obtainable; there are few moving parts to wear out; the following and grout driving medium is an inelastic fluid a minimum of cement Waste occurs; the cement leakage through the stuffing-box is obviated, thus avoiding injury to the soft packing; the machine, after each charge of grout is expelled, is immediately ready for recharging, since the water in driving out the grout fills the mixer with clear water.

A further object is the provision of parts arranged to produce the above objects of this invention, as illustrated in the draw ings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the device,-

partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe same;

Fig. 3 1s a transverse sectional view taken 011 the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line H of Fig. 1, with pipe 20 omitted;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the cement trap and stufling box, and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of F 5.

Referring to the various figures, in which the parts are appropriately indicated, 1 isa cylindrical vessel, mounted on a suitable pedestal or legs 2, and having a bottom plate? and atop plate l. Adjacent a central threaded aperture 5 in plate {1, is riveted thereto -an inte'riol'ly threaded annularring 6, and into the bore thus formed, isthreaded a small cylinder 7 the upper end of which is also threaded to receive a cap 8. On the top of cap 8 are two lugs 9 through which a bar may be thrust to facilitate the tightening or loosening of the cap 8. Within cylinder 7 is a tight fitting cylinder 10, the top of which is flush with thetop of cylcenter of a propeller 21, mounted on inder 7, and which extends downwardly within cylinder 1 a distance a little less than half the length thereof. Between cylinders 1 and are nested a number of small tubes 11 which fill the intervening space. The bottoms of tubes 11 are flush with the bottom of cylinder 10 and their tops are several inches below the top plate 4.

Leading into cylinder 1 through top plate 4 at four equally spaced points are inlet pipes 12, which are part of a pipe line 13, in which are placed valves 14, 15, and 16. Extending downwardly from pipe-line 13, between valves 15 and 16, is a pipe 17 having a valve 18. This pipe 17 leads into cylinder 1 at a point a little more than half way down cylinder 1, by pipe 19, which extends into the center of cylinder 1. Here a downwardly extending portion is connected to pipe 19 by an elbow. The pipe 20 extends downwardly to a point just aboveiltlle a s a 't 22 which extends through an aperture 22' r in bottom plate 3. The shaft 22 and aperture 22 are packed by a novel arrangement of parts, the construction of which will be hereinafter described. -The inner portion 21' of each blade of propeller 21 is curved forwardly in the direction of rotation, while the outer portion 21 of each blade is curved rearwardly. To the lower end of shaft 22 is attached a gear 23, which is driven by meshing with a power pinion 24. To the inside of cylinder 1 are riveted a Series of oppositely disposed, inwardly extending flat blades 26, the lower edges of which are slightly above the blades of propeller 21. From the bottom plate 3, leads an outlet pipe 27, with a valve 28 therein. In the side of cylinder 1 are two pet cocks 29 and 30, 29 being on a level with the middle of tubes 11, and 30 being on a level slightly below their bottoms.

The parts which constitute the means for.

packing shaft 22 are arranged as-follows:- I Bolted to plate 3 is a hollow flanged tube 31 having an open, exteriorly threaded lower end. Beneath tube 31, and abutting against the same, tube 32 having the end that abuts against tube 31 exteriorly threaded. These two abutting ends are joined by a threaded collar 33. The upper end of tube 32 is closed except for an aperture 34 through which shaft 22 extends. into the lower end of hollow tube 32, and between this and the upper end of tube 32 is placed any suitable soft packing 37. The tube 32 and plug 35 are fastened together by means of bolts 36 running through their respective flanges. A chamber is formed between the Walls of tube 31 and shaft 22 in which is placed a novel arrangement of parts adapted to prevent any cement leakage through aperture 22' from reaching the a slight is another hollow flanged A flanged plug 35 extends soft packing 37 and thereby injuring the packing of shaft 22. On shaft 22, immediately below plate 3 is a tight-fitting deflector collar 38, the lower portion of which is flared out to form a hood-portion-38. A. cylinder 39 fits tightly within the upper part of tube 31 and from it extend inwardly aplurality of vertical vanes 40, the inner edges of which are connected to a smaller cylinder. 41, the diameter of which is slightly less than that of the hood 38 and the upper portion of which is bent inwardly parallel with the flare of 38', so that a very distance separates the upper end of cylinder 41 from the hood-portion 38'. A. sleeve 42 fits loosely around shaft 22 and extends from just beneath the top of cylinder 41 to the aperture 34, into which it is threaded.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Valves 15 and 16 are opened and valves 14, 18 and 28 closed, and clear water is run into cylinder 1 until same is full. The

inlet valves 15 and 16 are then closed and outlet valve 14 is opened. The propeller 21 is continuously in motion at about a speed of 3540 revolutions per minute, which I have found best adapted to proper mixing. Cap 8 being removed, the charge of cement, or sand and cement, is put in through cylinder 10. The action of the propeller blades is to draw down the water immediately above it at the centerv and throw it up at the ends. This action produces a circulation in the receptacle 1. The water in tubes 11, however, is comparatively still, because of the constricted space and therefore is not appreciably affected by the circulation. As the cement settles in cylinder 1, itis circulated around by the propeller 21 and becomes thoroughly mixed. The mixing action is assisted by stationary blades 26 which, as the material is thrown up by outer ends 21" of the propeller 21, tend to check the rotary motion of, the fluid and thereby thoroughly agitate it. Since the cylinder 1 is already full of water before the cement is ut in, there is a displacement of the water at the top-through outlet valve 14 as the cement charge is introduced. Thus the only waste occurring is of a small quantity of clear water, the effect of tubes 11 being to maintain the upper part of cylinder 1 clear and free from sediment. It is found that grout in the proportion of 1 part cement to 15 parts water circulates freely throughout the machine, while grout in the proportions of from 1 to 7 ,5 parts up to 1 to 2 parts will not circulate above the bottom line of tubes 11 and with grouts of these consistencies a line of demarcation between the clear water above and the grout beneath is established almost before the cap 8 can be tightened on and the proper valves manipulated after the charge is let in. The grout having been thoroughly and quickly mixed, overflow valve 14 is closed and valves 15, 16 and 28 and pet-cock 30 are opened, thereby subjecting the grout mixture to the pressure in the pipe-line 13, and forcing it out through pipe 28 to whatever point it is desired to use the grout. As the grout mixture is forced out,

which is open. When this break-up occurs, valve 28 and pet-cock 30- are closed and the small amount of sediment above 30 very quickly settles. It is'to benoted, that, as the outgoing grout was forced out by the direct action of a bodytof clear water, the cylinder is now .full of clear water and is immediately ready for a new charge, which,

- when introduced, will displace only clear water and not cement at the top, thus causing a minimum waste.

Grout in the proportion of 1 :4 and thicker shows a decided tendency "to maintain its upper surface and not to mix with the incoming water entering through :the pipes 12. When thin grout is desired, the water is introduced through valve 18, valve 15 be ing closed. The incoming'water mingles with the outgoing grout and by this means, depending of course on the amount of the original cement charge, any desired mixture may be had. When thin grout is being made, the pet-cock 29 is used to indicate the time to recharge, since the thinner residue circulates farther up tubes 11. Thedischarge should be shut ofl before it reaches the top to prevent the wasting of cement through outlet 14. In order to prevent-thedisturbance of the body of still water. in

1 so as'to thereby break up its force as-a solid chamber, and means for maintaining a body tubes '11-, baflle plates may be placed below pipes 12 to spread the incoming water out stream.

Theoperation of the cement catching de vice and stufling-box is as follows Leakages entering at 22 flow into the space above the deflector collar 38 and thence downward between the vanes 40. It will take this free passage rather than ascend the restricted narrow passage between the hood-portion 38 and the top of cylinder 41. The solid material therefore will settle in the open space below the vanes 40 and clear water w1ll rise between 41 and 42, entering the clearance between collar 42 and v 1n the upper part of said chamber durin for filling said chamber with portion of said 'jecting the waterin said chamber to sure to force the grout out of said chamber.

.a closed mixin said chamber wlth clear water, means for in- 4 an upr ght closed shaft 22 and passin down along the shaft 22 through the stu g 37. The revolving of deflectorv 38 will tend, by inducing a cen trifugal motion in the clear space into which the leakage first flows from the main cylinder above, to direct the cement toward the outer spaces between the vanes and so'away from the bottom of the clearance between the deflector 38 and the-top of cylinder 41. Geared wheel 23 is set so far down on shaft 22 as to allow the lower part of the above device to be unscrewed. and slipped down the shaft in order to remove the accumulated solid matter therein.

I claim:

1. The method of making cement mixtures which consists in introducing a charge of 1 water in a mixing chamber, stirring the water and cement together to mix them,- and then directly ap-.

cement into a body of clear plying water under pressure to the cement mixture to force said mixture out of said chamber.

2. The method of making cement mixtures which consists in introducing a charge of cement lnto a body of clear water ing chamber, mixing the cement with water in the lower part of said chamber, maintain ing a body of comparatively still clear water the mixing and discharging, and then directly applying water under pressure to'the cement mixture to force said mixture out of said chamber.

3. A grout-making machine, comprising an upright closed mixing chamber, means means for introducing cement into said chamber, circulating means for mixing the water and cement together in the lower part of said chamber, means for maintaining a body of still clear water in the upper part of said chamber, a discharge pipe in'the lower chamber, and means for subpres- 4; A grout-making machine, comprising chamber, means for filling troducing cement into said chamber, circulatmg means for mixing the water and cement together in the lower' part of said of still clear water in the upper part of said chamber.

- lati'ng the fluidtherein, and means in the upper part of said chamber for retarding the circulation in that part of said chamber.

6. A grout making machine comprising an upright closed mixing chamber, means clear water,

for filling said chamber with water, a cement pipe in the top of said chamber, a pro- 'peller in the lower portion of said chamber,

and fluid retarding means in the upper portion of said chamber adjacent said cement pipe.

7.,A grout making machine comprising an upright closed mixing chamber, Water inlet pipes in the top of said chamber, a cement pipe in the upper part of said chamber, a circulating propeller in the bottom of said' chamber, a discharge pipe in the bottom of said chamber, means in the upper part of said chamber for preventing fluid circulation, and means for moving said propeller,

8. A grout making machine comprising an upright closed mixing chamber, water inlet pipes in the top of said chamber, a cement pipe in the upper part of said chamber, a circulating propeller in the bottom of said chamber, stationary agitating means attached to the walls of said chamber above said pipe line in the top of said said propeller, a plurality of longitudinally extending parti ions in'the upper part of said chamber dividing said chamber into separate compartments, a fluid discharge pipe, and means tor moving said propeller,

9. A grout mixing machine, comprising an upright closed mixing chamber, a high pressure water pipe line, inlet pipes from chamber, a cement pipe in the upper part of said chamber, a circulating propeller in the bottom of said chamber, means connected with said high pressure pipe line for introducing ater into said mixing chamber above said propeller, a fluid discharge pipe in the bot-- tom of said chamber, means in the upper part of said chamber for preventing fluid circulation, and means peller.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature. Y

SHIRLEY C. HULSE.

for moving said pro- 

